“I think that’s the sound of the… Shining Halav”–the name of the diety came awkwardly to Saeth’s tongue–“suggesting that we quickly go with the dwarf’s plan.”
From the sound of it, there were too many coming through the tunnel to fight, even with the advantages granted by the close confines. Nor would there be any way to spirit the men away, up the ladder and then through the city streets. Would there even be time to run, to flee up the ladder and away from this deathtrap, as Bideven Broadleaf had in the 78th stanza? (Saeth didn’t figure there was much difference between escaping up instead of down.) No, there wouldn’t be, not for five of them–especially not the armoured clerk or the awkward youth–when the torchlight was already visible, glancing off the tunnel’s walls. Uncomfortable, she edged closer to the ladder, but neverless turned to face their newest adversary.Feldard listened for a moment, and grimaced. Then, hurried back to the bound man and before any can comment or complain, raised his axe and with the flat of it knocked the man unconscious before he could speak out or raise alarm.
Maruc held his breath, still they had and excellent exit that could be easily blocked.
“I suggest we stay until we know whose coming Miklos, you and I can drag the bodies up to the room above – I don’t want these chaps getting into the wrong hands.”
“If this is the guard we will have plenty of explaining to do.”
“Nicolai.. can you…”
There was no time left to act. They were coming in. The eyes of the group turned to the open wood panel from which they had entered the cellar.
They breathed a collective breath when they saw that it was the city guard. “Hold!” shouted the guard commander, ordering his men to stop their approach. The men lined up by the cellar entrance. There were 5 guardsmen now facing the group, with perhaps a couple more still in the tunnel. “Drop your weapons on the floor!”
6 Comments
November 24, 2006 at 10:57 pm
Investigation:
Saeth: 10xp +10xp DM choice +5xp 2nd Post
Maruc: 10xp
Miklos: 10xp
Nicolai: 10xp
Feldard: 10xp +10xp 1st Post
TOTAL:
Saeth: 525/4000
Maruc: 505/1500
Miklos: 445/2500
Nicolai: 330/1200
Feldard: 275/2200
November 24, 2006 at 11:11 pm
Feldard complied to the guardsmans order. He lowered his axe slowly to the floor and held out his hands to the side to show he had no other weapons at hand. He didn’t offer explanation or speak out other than offering his name to the guardsman “Feldard Scarredbrow of Rockhome” figuring the humans would be babbling out their excuses and theories soon enough.
November 24, 2006 at 11:27 pm
Too late to run, nowhere to hide. Nicolai places his sword on the floor.
Nicolai will not speak or move unless specifically asked to
November 25, 2006 at 12:02 am
Is it just me, or does Saeth’s comment miss something when it’s cut in half? Could we edit in the second half, or take out the first? The former would be better–given the identity of the newcomers, it sets up Maruc perfectly.
The guard? What were they doing in the tunnel? Surely they couldn’t be in cahoots with these scoundrels? Perhaps it was a good thing that they’d spurned her, pointed her to a more wholesome path.
Regardless, the elf was glad that no headstrong companion had lept at the first body through the door. It would’ve been an unfortunate fight, at best.
She glanced at her companions. Feldard had lowered his axe slowly to the floor and held out his hands to the side to show he had no other weapons at hand. Nicholai had knelt to do likewise. Saeth was glad that her blade was sheathed and her hands empty– being weaponless was the worst sort of helplessness.
Saeth moved her hands away from her torso, thinking not of fight, but rather attempting to gauge if she could make it up the ladder faster than their unconscious captives.
November 25, 2006 at 4:50 am
Fixed it. That was an accident actually. Any time you guys see anything like that, feel free to ask about it. I’m always open to suggestions and constructive criticism.
November 25, 2006 at 8:31 am
As Maruc was moving the bodies I am assuming that he doesn’t have his weapon in his hand.
Placing his body to the floor. “Noble city guard! Holy Halav has guided you to us. Come, we have much to discuss, and swiftly as we have still have the jump on the Veiled Society.”
“I am Maruc, a humble priest of Halav and I do not lie. Halav in his wisdom has brought us all together to uncover the plots, and tunnels it seems, of these subversives.”
“I assume that the diggers we released raised the alarm? We have two unconscious Society members that we have tried to question but sadly they have told us nothing. We were going to hand them over to the Duke. I for one will glady help you in any way I can to stop this group of murderers. I cannot speak for my comrades, but we are all free people trying to do Halavs work.”
“You have passed unexplored tunnels, your help in investigating them would would be greatfully received. As I fear leaving them unmolested will allow members to escape.”
“It was only by good fortune that the goodwife went undetected to raise the alarm. We would be fools to rely upon this happening again.”